Garage Sale Question

**Amanda W** · 06-14-2007, 11:59 AM

Confession: I've never been to a garage sale in my life.

Our neighborhood is having it's annual garage sale this weekend, and I'd really like to go. Are you supposed to haggle over prices? I know in the TWG Amy said she did, but my husband said that he doesn't think you're supposed to. Does everyone do that, or is it just an Amy thing?

I'm a little apprehensive... When I've driven by garage sales in the past, it seems like the people are just sitting in their lawn chairs staring at you as you paw through their stuff.

**FreesiaE** · 06-14-2007, 12:03 PM

I'm not a haggler 99% of the time. I mean if someone is pricing something at .25, I'm not going to ask if a dime would be ok. I mean really. However, bigger ticket items I'm more willing to ask for the "best price" or if it is a lot of say ten dishes for $7.00 if they'd take $5.00 or if they'd throw in the four matching mugs I see for the full $7.00. I think it all depends on what your comfort level is.

**PeacewithMyself** · 06-14-2007, 12:05 PM

OK newbie garage sale deva. I was once in your place. Grew up in a family that discouraged 'that' kind of shopping. LOL

Married a wonderful man who is frugal to the core of his being. His Mom, bless her heart, took me under her wing and introduced me to the joys of 'Sale-in'.

This is your first. My suggestion is just go and look and buy if it's the price you like. Listen to how others who are old time garage sale shoppers work the 'sale'.

IF you feel comfortable ask at some point..... will you take anything less for this. (normally a pretty high priced item.) or..... I'll give you, 1.00 for this. (low priced - maybe asking 1.50)
Always say Hello when you come in and Thank you when you leave.

My personal thing is to always buy from the kids if they are selling lemonaid, cookies etc. Even if I don't drink it or eat it. Just giving back a little childhood joy.

**Neeley** · 06-14-2007, 12:06 PM

I am not a haggler either. If something is priced more than I want to pay for it, I pass on it. DH on the other hand will negotiate a lower price and so will my 11 year old son.

**FrugalMomof3** · 06-14-2007, 12:44 PM

Of course your supposed to haggle, I mean heck they want to get rid of it and if you want it, try to talk them down in price

I love yard sales, good stuff cheap

**baxjul** · 06-14-2007, 12:46 PM

I only haggle, like, if I have a bunch of stuff, I'll say "I'll give you 5$ for all this". Usually people say, okay.

**Dixie** · 06-14-2007, 01:02 PM

I haggle all the time at yard sales. I taught my dkids to haggle and oldest dson even haggled over the price of a fridge at Lowes.

He saved a couple of hundred bucks, too.

**nuisance26** · 06-14-2007, 01:26 PM

~I ask for a lower price about 50% of the time. And it's usually the higher priced items. The last sale I went to I saw 2 sample sized Clinique soap dishes I wanted and she wanted $.25 each. I asked for .25 for both. I mean, she got them for free in the first place so that's why I asked. You'll get a feel for value when you've been a few times. It can be uncomfortable having someone watch you shop. Just try to ignore them and remember that they feel like they're on display too. I make a list of things I'm looking for so I don't get too sidetracked looking at antiques, kitchen gadgets,decorative items and craft books. It can also be helpful to make a list of what you DON'T need, like serving platters, exercise gadgets, ect... Have fun!~

**lottaLove** · 06-14-2007, 01:33 PM

You can never go wrong asking for a lower price. The worst that can happen is they will say no, and you can decide to either pay the full asking price, or move on! Happy shopping!

**geckoace** · 06-14-2007, 04:21 PM

i'm not a haggler either. i usually just take things at face value; but often if i ask the price of something and its too much i will make a face and put it down and the seller will cut me a deal anyway.

**halloweenfreak** · 06-14-2007, 04:46 PM

ive never been to a garage sale either, but ive had a few myself. i dont mind people haggling with me over more expensive items, and most people have never irratated me by doing it. except one. there was this woman about 2 years ago.... and there was this dress she wanted, and it was a nice dress, marked a dollar. she wanted it for .25 or less because it had to be dry cleaned. argh!

**Michelle68** · 06-14-2007, 05:28 PM

I think that most people who have garage sales usually price their items a bit above what they would be willing to take for that item to leave room for a little haggling. (I know that's what I've done when I had one) It seems, at least at the garage sales I've had or the many I've gone to, haggling is pretty much expected. Personally, I don't haggle at garage sales given to benefit charity, churches, etc. and, like PeacewithMyself, I also always buy any cookies, lemonade, etc. that kids are selling. Have fun and happy bargain shopping!

--Michelle

**kittykatstrong** · 06-14-2007, 05:58 PM

I only haggle at the end of the day and only big items. They prop. will not want to move it back in the garage. Also if it is a huge neighborhood garage sale there will be so many people there they might be less willing to haggle.

Have fun and wear sunscreen.

Katy

**DJ1972** · 06-15-2007, 12:15 AM

I am not much of a haggler...I'm with Reba on putting it down and making a face, lol, it works! I also don't like being watched while I look around, if there aren't other people at the sale when I drive by, I keep on driving...sad I know, but I don't like being in the spotlight, if others are there, I can slip away unnoticed if there's nothing I want to buy.

**Neeley** · 06-15-2007, 12:48 AM

Originally Posted by DJ1972

if there aren't other people at the sale when I drive by, I keep on driving...sad I know, but I don't like being in the spotlight, if others are there, I can slip away unnoticed if there's nothing I want to buy.

I am the same way. I just keep on going. I thought I was the only one who did this.